Combination laminating tool

ABSTRACT

A three-in-one combination laminating tool configured in form of an elongate handle having a first end and an opposite second end, a freely-rotatable roller supported at the first end of the handle, and a relatively narrow blade-like laminate edge presser supported at the opposite second end of the handle. The first end of the handle comprises a generally U-shaped yoke having a pair of spaced-apart arms for rotatably supporting the roller therebetween. The tool allows carpenters, cabinetmakers, and other users the convenience of one hand operation in applying pressure to the entire surface of a plastic laminate or wood veneer. Specifically, an evenly distributed pressure is applied via the relatively large roller to the large easily accessible surface areas of the laminate, and via the narrow blade-like laminate edge presser to those typically inaccessible surface areas of the laminate, such as corners, edges or butt joints. Preferably, the tool further includes a relatively broad blade-like veneer presser, releasably mountable to the second end of the handle, for applying pressure to delicate and thin wood veneers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to hand held laminating toolsfor use in applying pressure to surfaces. More particularly, thisinvention relates to a hand held, three-in-one combination laminatingtool having a surface roller, a laminate edge presser and a veneerpresser for use in applying pressure to the surface of either plasticlaminates or wood veneers during bonding thereof to a suitablesubstrate.

Plastic laminates such as Formica® are typically bonded to a substratesuch as wood in the fabrication of countertops, table tops, doors andcabinets. The bonding process generally includes applying a layer ofadhesive to the rear side of the laminate and/or applying a layer ofadhesive to the substrate, and subsequently contacting and adhesivelybonding the laminate and substrate together. Importantly, aftercontacting and bonding the laminate and substrate together, pressure isapplied to the top surface of the laminate in order to form a secureadhesive bond between the laminate and the substrate. The application ofpressure between the laminate and the substrate insures that theadhesive layer more completely and uniformly contacts and bonds with thelaminate and substrate, as well as, aid in removing any air bubblestherebetween.

The most commonly used tools for applying pressure to a laminate surfaceduring the bonding thereof to a suitable substrate, are configuredsimilar to paint rollers. Specifically, such tools include a straighthandle attached via a generally L-shaped arm to a freely rotatableroller having an axis disposed normally to the handle. One drawback withthis type of tool is the difficulty in transferring forces from thestraight handle through the roller to the laminate surface. Another withthis type of tool is the difficulty in applying an evenly distributedand high pressure to the laminate surface due to the general cantileversupport of the roller by the handle. A further drawback of this type ofroller is the inability to apply pressure to relatively small and tightsurface areas where the roller cannot reach, such as corners, edges orbutt joints. Similarly configured rollers include U.S. Pat. No.3,540,104 to Duffy for a wall paper seam roller, and U.S. Pat. No.5,242,362 to Talamantez for a lightweight floor covering roller.

Another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,068,951 to Abrams, discloses a devicefor applying a constant pressure to a surface. The device includes acylinder, a first wheel and a second wheel coupled to each end,respectively, of the cylinder, and an elastomeric covering whichsurrounds the cylinder. The elastomeric covering extends a greaterdistance than the diameter of the wheels and a straight wire-like handleattaches to both sides of the wheels. A drawback with this device is thedifficulty in transferring large forces from the straight handle throughthe roller to the laminate surface. Another drawback with this device isthe inability to apply pressure to the relatively small and tightsurface areas due to the wheels and portions of the handle extendingfrom the ends of the elastomeric covering which contacts the surface.

Another roller design for applying pressure to a laminate during thebonding thereof to a suitable substrate is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5 069732 granted to Levine. Levine discloses a hard-rubber roller rotatablymounted within and extending beyond one corner of a pressure block. InLevine, a heel of a user's palm is placed on top of the corner adjacentthe roller and the fingers grip the opposite corner of the block. Adrawback with this type of roller is the inability to apply pressure torelatively small and tight surface areas due to a user's fingers orthumb contacting adjacent structure so as to limit access of the rollerto corners, edges and butt joints.

While the prior art is generally acceptable for its intended use, so faras known, there are no known prior art laminating tools which combine aroller for applying pressure to easily accessible surface areas of alaminate during the bonding thereof to a suitable substrate, and anarrow blade-like laminate edge presser which allows applying pressureto those typically inaccessible areas of the laminate, e.g., edges,corners and butt joints. Furthermore, so far as known there is nopresently available three-in-one laminating tool which combines aroller, a narrow blade-like laminate edge presser, and a broadblade-like veneer presser, for use in applying pressure to a laminate orveneer, respectively, during the bonding thereof to a suitablesubstrate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novelcombination laminating tool which is conveniently held with one hand sothat a user can easily alternate between use of a freely-rotatableroller and relatively narrow blade-like laminate edge presser forapplying pressure to essentially the entire surface of a laminate suchas Formica® during the bonding thereof to suitable substrate.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a combinationlaminating tool having a freely-rotatable roller supported by the armsof a U-shaped yoke member attached to one end of an elongate handlewhich allows a user to quickly apply an evenly distributed high pressureto those large easily accessible surface areas of a laminate during thebonding thereof to a suitable substrate.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a combinationlaminating tool having a relatively narrow blade-like laminate edgepresser attached to the opposite end of an elongate handle which allowsa user to quickly apply pressure to typically inaccessible laminatesurface areas, e.g., edges, corners and butt joints.

It is still another object of the present invention is to provide acombination laminating tool which includes a relatively broad blade-likeveneer presser for applying the appropriate pressure to delicate andrelatively thin and easily damaged veneers.

It is a further object of the present invention is to provide such anovel combination laminating tool which may be manufactured relativelyeasily and inexpensively for widespread sale and use by carpenters,cabinetmakers and others.

Certain of the foregoing and related objects are readily obtained in acombination laminating tool which comprises an elongated handle having afirst end and an opposite second end, a freely-rotatable rollersupported at the first end of the handle, and a relatively narrowblade-like laminate edge presser supported at the opposite second end ofthe handle. Preferably, a generally U-shaped yoke is joined to the firstend of the roller and the yoke includes a pair of spaced-apart arms forrotatably supporting the roller therebetween.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the laminating toolfurther comprises a relatively broad blade-like veneer presser which isdesirably releasably attachable to the handle. Specifically, the veneerpresser has a generally T-shaped profile and includes an arm and anenlarged outwardly flared broad blade secured to the arm. The arm has aninner end which is releasably and telescopically received within theopposite second end of the handle, and an opposite outer end whichattached to the blade. Desirably, the tool further comprises releasablelocking means for releasably locking the veneer presser on the handle.The releasable locking means comprises an outwardly biased buttondisposed on the arm of the veneer presser so that the button isreceivable in a snap-fit manner in a corresponding button opening in thehandle.

Preferably, the blade of the veneer presser and the handle are disposedat an angle of about 120 degrees to about 150 degrees therebetween whenattached to each other, and desirably at an angle of about 135 degreestherebetween. The blade of the veneer presser includes an edge having alower face and a chamfered face. Desirably, the handle, the laminateedge presser and the veneer presser are fabricated from non-scratchmaterials.

The handle of the tool is generally rectangular and comprises a topwall, a bottom wall and opposite side walls, and includes a generallycentrally disposed knurled portion to enhance hand gripping of thehandle. Preferably, the yoke and the handle are disposed at an angle ofabout 120 degrees to about 150 degrees therebetween, and desirably, atan angle of about 135 degrees therebetween.

The laminate edge presser of the tool generally comprises a planar bladewith a relatively flat edge. Preferably, the blade of the laminate edgepresser has a width substantially equal to the width of the handle, anddesirably the flat edge includes a chamfered face.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparentfrom the detailed description considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings, which disclose a preferred embodiment of theinvention. It is to be understood that the drawings are to be used forthe purpose of illustration only and not as a definition of the limitsof the invention.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similarelements throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a combination laminating toolembodying the present invention showing the same in use on a web oflaminate being bonded to a substrate;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the tool shown in FIG. 1, with portions brokenaway to show internal construction; and

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the tool shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

Turning now to the drawings, and in particular FIG. 1 thereof, thereinillustrated is a novel three-in-one combination laminating tool 10embodying the present invention for applying pressure to a top surface16 of a laminate or veneer 12 during bonding thereof, using an adhesive18, to a suitable substrate 14. Tool 10 includes an elongate generallyrectangular shaft or handle 20 which has an enlarged, generally U-shapedyoke 40 disposed at one end thereof which supports a freely-rotatableroller 60 therebetween. A relatively narrow blade-like laminate edgepresser 70 is supported at an opposite second end 50 of handle 20thereof, and a relatively broad blade-like veneer presser 80 istelescopically mounted in a hollow recess in the opposite second end 50of handle 20.

Tool 10 allows carpenters, cabinetmakers, and other users, theconvenience of one hand operation in applying pressure to laminates viaa relatively large roller 60, and those surface areas of a laminateinaccessible with roller 60, via a relatively narrow blade-like laminateedge presser 70 disposed at the opposite end of handle 20. Tool 10eliminates having to switch back and forth between two or more separatetools for applying pressure to the entire surface of a laminate duringthe bonding thereof to a suitable substrate. Furthermore, relativelybroad blade-like veneer presser 80 allows users the convenience ofapplying an appropriate evenly distributed pressure to relativelydelicate veneers during the bonding thereof to a suitable substrate.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, handle 20 includes a top wall 32, abottom wall 34 and opposite side walls 36. Handle 20 is generally hollowand includes a reinforcing cross-rib 37 (shown in dashed lines).Preferably, handle 20 is rectangular in cross-section, and desirably isone and one-quarter inch square. It is appreciated that the handle canhave any suitable cross-section, e.g., circular, rectangular orcombinations thereof. Advantageously, handle 20 includes an outercentrally disposed surrounding knurled portion 38 which aids in theability of a user to grasp and hold handle 20 while using tool 10. It isfurther appreciated that the handle can be essentially solid except foran end which attaches to a veneer presser as described in greater detailbelow.

Yoke 40 terminates in two spaced-apart outwardly flared yoke supportarms 42 which receive and support opposite ends of a shaft 64 offreely-rotatable roller 60. As seen best in FIG. 3, roller 60 isdimensioned such that its roller surface 62 projects beyond arms 42,i.e., a lower edge 46 and front edge 48 of support arms 42 are disposedinwardly of roller surface 62 so that arms 42 do not contact thelaminate surface during use. As best shown in FIG. 3, yoke 40 and handle20 are preferably disposed at an angle A therebetween in the range ofabout 90 degrees to about 150 degrees. Most desirably, yoke 40 andhandle 20 are disposed at an angle A of about 135 degrees therebetween.Although yoke 40 is shown as being solid, it is appreciated that a yokecan be partially or substantially hollow.

In contrast to a conventional laminating tool having a straight handleattached via an L-shaped arm to a roller, the angled configurationbetween yoke 40 and handle 20 provides a more efficient transfer ofdownwardly directed forces from handle 20 to the surface of a laminateparticularly when handle 20 is held and operated horizontally. Inaddition, yoke 40 extends downwardly a sufficient distance so that auser's fingers are conveniently and safely disposed and accommodatedalong bottom surface 34 so as to not contact or rub against the topsurface of a laminate during use.

Referring again to FIG. 1, laminate edge presser 70 comprises agenerally horizontally disposed planar blade 72 having a flat edge 74.Preferably, the width of laminate edge presser 70 is equal to the widthof handle 20, although it is appreciated that the width of blade 72 canbe sized smaller than or wider than the width of handle 20. Desirably,blade 72 is integral with and serves as an extension of bottom wall 34of handle 20. Flat edge 74 is used to apply pressure to those typicallyinaccessible areas, such as corners, edges and butt joints, during thebonding of a laminate to a suitable substrate, and preferably, flat edge74 includes a chamfered face 76.

Veneer presser 80 has a generally T-shaped profile and includes an arm82, the inner end of which is releasably and telescopically receivedwithin the second opposite and below end 50 of handle 20. The oppositeouter end of arm 82 is attached to an enlarged, outwardly flared anddownwardly angled broad blade 84 having a flat edge 86. The inner end ofarm 82 includes a resilient finger 88 which when inserted withinopposite second end 50 of handle 20 is received between cross rib 39 andupper wall 32 (FIG. 3). A bottom wall 81 of arm 82 is supported a detentor raised pin 78 of laminate edge presser 70 to provide a tighter orfriction fit. As best seen in FIG. 3, flat edge 86 is configured to havea generally flattened foot-shape configuration. Specifically, flat edge86 includes a lower face 87 and a chamfered face 89. When veneer presser80 is attached to handle 20, blade 84 and handle 20 are disposed at anangle B preferably between about 90 degrees to about 150 degreestherebetween. Most desirably, blade 84 and handle 20 are disposed at anangle B of about 135 degrees therebetween.

As shown in FIG. 1, arm 82 further comprises a releasable locking means90 for releasably mounting veneer presser 80 in handle 20. Releasablelocking means 90 comprises a normally outwardly and upwardly biasedbutton 92 mounted on top of finger 88 which is receivable in a snap-fitmanner in a corresponding button opening 94 in handle 20. To disconnectveneer presser 80 from handle 20, button 92 is pressed downwardly andreleased from opening 94 thereby allowing veneer presser 80 to betelescopically withdrawn or pulled out and away from handle 20.

In contrast to the relatively narrow blade-like laminate edge presser70, the relatively broad blade-like veneer presser 80 provides a moreevenly distributed downwardly directed forces from handle 20 to thesurface of delicate veneers. In addition, similar to arms 42 of yoke 40,blade 84 of veneer presser 80 extends a sufficient distance below bottomwall 34 of handle 20 so that the fingers of a user's hand do not contactor scrape against the top surface of a veneer during use of the tool.

Roller 60 is preferably constructed of a durable, non-scratch materialsuch as a polyurethane and axle 64 is preferably a cylindrical steelrod. Advantageously, handle 20, laminate edge presser 70 and veneerpresser 80 are fabricated out of a non-scratch, preferably plasticmaterial. It is appreciated that the veneer presser and laminate edgepresser can be fabricated from the same non-scratch material, or thelaminate edge presser and the veneer presser can be fabricated fromdifferent materials or different density materials so as to have adifferent stiffness, rigidity or resiliency to accommodate particularapplications of the tool.

Thus, while only one embodiment of the present invention have been shownand described, it is appreciated that many changes and modification maybe made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A combination laminating tool, comprising:anelongated handle having a first end and an opposite second end; afreely-rotatable roller supported at said first end of said handle; agenerally planar laminate edge presser comprising a planar bladesupported by and extending from said opposite second end of said handle;a detachable generally planar veneer presser; and means for releasablyattaching said veneer presser to said opposite second end of saidhandle.
 2. A tool according to claim 1, wherein said first end comprisesa generally U-shaped yoke joined to said first end of said handle, saidyoke including a pair of spaced-apart arms for rotatably supporting saidroller therebetween.
 3. A tool according to claim 2, wherein said yokeand said handle are disposed at an angle of about 120 degrees to about150 degrees therebetween.
 4. A tool according to claim 3, wherein saidyoke and said handle are disposed at an angle of about 135 degreestherebetween.
 5. A tool according to claim 1, wherein said roller iswider than said laminate edge presser, and said veneer presser is widerthan said laminate edge presser.
 6. A tool according to claim 1, whereinsaid releasably attaching means comprises said second end of said handlehaving a hollow recess and said veneer presser comprises an arm and anenlarged outwardly flared broad blade secured to said arm, said armbeing releasably and telescopically an receivable in said recess.
 7. Atool according to claim 6, further comprising releasable locking meansfor releasably locking said veneer presser to said handle.
 8. A toolaccording to claim 7, wherein said releasable locking means comprises anoutwardly biased button disposed on said arm of said veneer presser,said button being receivable in a snap-fit manner in a correspondingbutton opening in said handle.
 9. A tool according to claim 6, whereinsaid blade said veneer presser and said handle are disposed at an angleof about 120 degrees to about 150 degrees therebetween when attached toeach other.
 10. A tool according to claim 9, wherein said blade of saidveneer presser and said handle are disposed at an angle of about 135degrees therebetween.
 11. A tool according to claim 6, wherein saidblade of said veneer presser has a flat edge comprising a lower face anda chamfered face.
 12. A tool according to claim 1, wherein said handle,laminate edge presser and said veneer presser are fabricated fromnon-scratch plastic materials.
 13. A tool according to claim 1, whereinsaid handle is generally rectangular and comprises a top wall, a bottomwall and opposite side walls.
 14. A tool according to claim 1, whereinsaid handle has a generally centrally disposed knurled portion toenhance hand gripping of said handle.
 15. A tool according to claim 1,wherein said laminate edge presser further comprises a relatively flatedge.
 16. A tool according to claim 1, wherein said blade of saidlaminate edge presser has a width substantially equal to the width ofsaid handle.
 17. A tool according to claim 1, wherein said flat edge ofsaid laminate edge presser includes a chamfered face.
 18. A combinationlaminating tool for applying pressure to a surface, corners, and buttjoints of a laminate during bonding to a substrate, said toolcomprising:a generally horizontal elongated handle having a first endand a second end; a broad, freely-rotatable roller supported bylaterally extending spaced-apart arms joined to and downwardly dependingfrom said first end of said handle; a narrow, planar laminate edgepresser supported by and extending from said second end of said handle,said planar laminate edge presser having a top surface, a bottomsurface, and a chamfer between said top surface and said bottom surfaceto define a generally flat rectangular-shaped elongated surface forapplying pressure when said first end of said handle is angled abovesaid second end, said elongated surface being fabricated from plastic;and means for additionally attaching a veneer presser to said second endof said handle; wherein said broad roller allows applying pressure tolarge easily accessible surfaces and said narrow laminate edge presserallows applying pressure to corner and butt joint surfaces.
 19. A toolaccording to claim 18, wherein said laminate edge presser has a widthsubstantially equal to the width of said handle.